The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-11-24

heard. Then We all looked up. The
whole mountain was moving, sliding
down. white slope of thick snow, with
noise of ten thousand boiling kettles
Kissing like millions of snakes A crack
ling of timber high up the mountain.
We turned and run for the hat under
the rock, in which the others had taken
shelter, as We fancied, because they had
disappeared. But when We reached the
hut, in about ten seconds, it was empty.
They had escaped down the hill with the
guides.
We had no time to think. A tremen-
dous roar seemed TO crash the air down
Oh Us then crunching crash, like cart
wheels in snow ruts thousand times
magnified. The light died out We were
buried alv.. in the avalanche.
"Mi<s katie!" screamed" Mr.. Ne
ville!''
"Yes-here we are" they replied.
"Gideon Grasper-is here, too?" l
said.
There was no answer. Then he had
been caught in the avalanche and suffoca-
ted A terrible doom.
We were silent for awhile. cannot
tell you what the others thought. know
1prayed very earnestly. Occasionally
could hear Mr. Neville comforting Miss
Katie, land after awhile he spoke to me.
Mrs. Farmer, will you come here
think Miss Canton has tainted she's so
quiet, she is heavy and cold" he whis-
pered.
l stepped toward his voice, which
sounded so curious in the darkness and
deathly silence, and took her in my arms.
She lay passive. placed her on the floor
and loosened her dress, 80 as to revive
her We felt the awful silence. Then
perceived touch on my face. 1t was
cold, and Mr.. Neville said
"Give her some of this"
took the flask and poured few drops
down Miss katie's throat-and, | may
say drank a little myself. Mr.. Neville
said be didn't want any, and he kept feel
ing his way about the little hut, trying
to find the door or window.
1T we only hal light" l cried, eve
might save Miss Katie. l am afraid she
is dying. If we could only see
"What fool am" exclaimed Mr..
Neville; then after pause l heard him
striking match.
In another second the hut was lighted
by wax taper.
g have six or seven more" be said.
Then he stopped, and by the light of
the tiny taper we saw that Miss Katie
was as pale as death, her eyes and m outh
closed, her hands clinched and rigid.
Force some cordial down her throat"
be said. ''I will chafe her feet" and be
knclt down.
Hold another match SIR said.
Look, what's that yonder?
He jumped up.
An old lantern and bit ot candle in
it, Now We are all right.
He had apparently forgotten the ter
rible situation we were in. The candle
was lighted, and while it burned we turn
ed all our attention to Miss Katie.
After awhile she again breathed regu-
"Hurrah - cried Mr.. Neville, who was
nearly crying, too oh, my darling.
you are better now? Katie, dearest,
speak to me :"
She only closed her eyes YEARLY.
Is Keep her awake for Heavens sake
She will die if she sleeps, " he screamed
L
He rushed towards the doorway and
began wildly to pick handfulls of snow.
Was he mad called TO him and beg
ced him to desist He raved and seem
ed demented, calling Miss Katie, who
still lay in my arms, while | caressed her
and did all | could to keep her awake.
At length he calmed down in despair.
He came and sat beside me, holding Miss
Katie's hands and occasionally kissing
them, as could hear.
How long we remained seated thus I
cannot say. 1t seemed hours, when sud-
denly We heard thud overhead.
"We are saved !" shouted Mr.. Neville
They are digging for US. Shout! ~
Wetwo shouted. A cry answered US.
Then we heard voices plainly. A man
with rope leaped down from what SEEM
ed white sheet overhead, and we were
drawn up.
Most fortunately the "penson at the
extremity of the valley, escaped with
some few houses, but the village is no
more Our friends were all safe.
1t was not long before Miss Kate re-
covered. Her father came out and car
rled her home. l was sent home before
that, for was anxious about Charley
but some weeks after my retnrn Miss Kate
drove up and overdid me with thanks and
kisses.
"Mr. Neville is coming to stay here,
Mrs. Farmer, and we-are engaged to be
married in November. Then she whis-
pered, "Did you hear about poor Gideon
Grasper
No Miss, )" I said, in surprise, "what
about him."
cit was he who carried the news of
our danger to the villagers, and who res
cued u.s. He managed to avoid the track
of the avalanche, after all. !"
" Poor Grasper ?" | exclaimed. "Did
Won hear what became of him, miss?"
eyes he came and begged my par.
don, and lectured me kindly, too-gave
me advice never to play with mans feel
ings again. am afraid have been
miserable firt."
She began to cry and I comforted her.
Then she said that Gideon had left for
America, and her father had supplied him
with ample means.
"And so you are really going to be
married, Miss 2" said.
eyes, Mrs. Farmer, am really-in
November. Fancy that"
1t was no fancy. She was married, and
is still very happy in her new home, for
although size had tolerated some gen.
tlemen for awhile, and had had many Of
fers of marriage, she found her match in
Mr.. Neville, and with him she kept her